A prominent Samoan author and playwright has been charged with murdering the aunt of former Hawaii Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, according to multiple reports.
Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, died Sunday in Samoa after retired University of Hawaii professor Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, 78, ) was arrested.
Local reports quoted police as saying the victim was stabbed multiple times and beaten with a hammer. Samoa is a country located in South Pacific.
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An award-winning author has been charged with murdering the aunt of former Hawaii Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, according to multiple reports. (Facebook, left, Ethan Miller/Getty Images, right)
The fatal incident occurred on May 25 at Figiel’s home in the village of Vaivase-Uta, about three miles from the island nation’s capital Apia. According to the New Zealand Herald , Figiel’s property also doubles as a local theater.
Samoa Police Chief Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said an argument broke out between the two before the incident turned violent, the publication reported. It’s unclear what sparked the controversy.
According to local media reports, the two women are colleagues and friends, with Gabbard serving as Figiel’s mentor.
Sinaviana Gabbard is the aunt of Tulsi Gabbard and the sister of state Senator Mike Gabbard.
She was the first Samoan to become a full professor in the United States and an accomplished author, teacher and environmental activist, her family said.
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Aerial view of Main Beach Road in Apia, Samoa during lockdown 2021. Apia is about five miles from where Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard died. (Yoshida Riki/Getty Images)
McGabbad said he was very close to his sister growing up and was proud of what she accomplished in life.
“Caroline has been my best friend since I was a teenager,” Mike Gabbard said in a statement to Spectrum News.
“She was a huge help to me during my rebellious teenage years. She got me hooked on reading, so much so that I followed in her footsteps and majored in English at Sonoma State University in California before returning to where we were born. American Samoa, where I taught high school English and served as a community college faculty member, counselor, and dean for many years.
“I love her deeply and wish her the best as she continues her journey.”
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Samoa is a country located in the South Pacific. (Google Maps)
Mike Gabbard went on to say that he forgives the person responsible for her death but hopes justice will be served and that person “will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
According to Spectrum News , Sinaviana-Gabbard earned a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Sonoma State University, a master’s degree in folklore from the University of California, Berkeley, and a PhD in Folklore. in American Studies from the University of Hawaii.
Before retiring, she taught Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii for more than 20 years.
